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Holidays In Croatia

Croatia Holidays at a glance

Book your holidays to Croatia with Olympic Holidays and arrive at a beautiful country blessed with the wonderful Mediterranean climate. Bordering the Adriatic Sea, facing the eastern coastline of Italy, Croatia sits among Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia and Hungary. She also shares a tiny border at her southernmost tip with Montenegro. In common with many of her fellow Balkan neighbours, the landscape is of lush green forests rolled out over low mountains, here easing off to flat plains towards Hungary. Along the coast, seas are clear and glistening, and scattered with little islands of all sizes, as if crumbs shaken out from the skirts of the mainland. There's a primitive magic and majesty that seeps into the senses, leaving an indelible impression on all who visit.

A stay in Croatia with Olympic Holidays brings you the timeless pleasures of a stunning location combined with the warmth of a Mediterranean climate. Relax on uncrowded beaches along the 1777 kms of mainland coastline where a sparkling sea finds its way into sheltered rocky coves backed by scented pine woods. The bustling medieval ports, with fortresses built long ago to counter foreign invasions, are familiar images for many a holiday poster. Today they advertise Croatia, but just a couple of decades ago, it was Yugoslavia beckoning, a country which fractured during a bitter civil war in the 1990s. It eventually settled as a number of smaller states, Croatia among them, and her people now peacefully enjoy the renewed optimism their country's touristic attractions bring. They extend a warm welcome to all comers to share the many charms they are determined to preserve.

Croatia is a wonderfully scenic country with lush green forests, sparkling turquoise waters, secluded coves and ancient towns. Croatia holidays offer something for everyone and once you have visited this magical place you will fall in love with the country and will always have fond memories of your holidays to Croatia.

With over 100 blue flag beaches, a perfect climate and centuries of fascinating history to uncover, it is no wonder that holidaymakers have been quick to take up the invitation, and Croatia has rapidly grown in popularity. Croatia has an excellent range of good quality hotels to suit all budgets, so if you're in search of an all inclusive holiday, value family holiday or a budget holiday then Croatia holidays have it all.

Croatia Holidays - Destination Profile

In the north of Croatia, is a peninsula known as Istrien Riviera. Here, towns have a Venetian feel, and the region has often been likened to Tuscany in Italy. This peninsular is quite breathtaking in scenery and is a favourite among travellers. In the northwest corner is the historic beach-front city of Umag which dates back to Roman times. Situated among extremely fertile arable land, its abundance of produce is evident in the deliciously fresh cuisine, and local olive oil and wines. Laid out to a medieval street plan, remnants of the city walls still exist in places, and the ancient castles, Venetian houses and historic churches weave charming memories of the old world into the vibrant and colourful fabric of this thriving, modern-day town. Further down the coast, is Porec, a town situated amid rich Mediterranean landscapes of pine woods and lush vegetation nourished by the fertile, blood-red soil. Some important historical sites are to be found here. Rovinj, a picturesque ancient city surrounded by pine forests is an active fishing port and thought by many to be one of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic coast. In the summer months, the city is abuzz with young people who come to enjoy the many disco bars and restaurants. Rovinj also incorporates some outlying islands easily reached by boat.

At the very southernmost tip of Croatia is the Dubrovnik Riviera, separated from the rest of the country by Bosnia Herzegovina's claim to a coastal strip a little under 5 kms long. Once the main tourist resort of Yugoslavia, today Dubrovnik's attractions offer the same rewards to Croatia in being one of her most favoured holiday destinations. On the Isthmus of Dubrovnik, the coastline beckons a confident come-hither with its natural beauty stretching northwards from the city, as if draped along a chaise lounge. A wall nearly 2 kms long runs around the ancient city, enclosing many historic buildings, such as the Arboretum Trsteno, the oldest in the world, dating back to 1492. The resort of Cavtat, further up the coast, is a popular tourist destination with a seafront full of shops and restaurants. From here, Dubrovnik is a ferry ride away.

Value Holidays in Croatia with Olympic Holidays

Book your holidays to Croatia with Olympic Holidays the leading specialist tour operator to Cyprus and Greece with over 45 years expertise in offering quality holidays at great value. As well package holidays to Croatia, we offer an excellent range of Croatia flights (Dubrovnik or Pula and hotels in Croatia. For great savings on holidays to Croatia book online or call our reservations team, lowest price guaranteed!!!

Holidays in Croatia - Things to see

Dubrovnik City: Visit the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, this magical place is where the perfectly preserved streets and buildings will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time to the 12th century. Dubrovnik also offers a number of atmospheric churches and monasteries.

Dubrovnik Summer Festival: This summer festival takes place each summer, from mid July to late August featuring open air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music in the old town. Zagreb and Split also have summer festivals.

Pula: The largest city in Istria and home to the well preserved Roman amphitheatre one of the most famous sights in Croatia. Built during the 1st century AD, the three-story amphitheatre is the sixth largest in the world. During the summer the amphitheatre hosts the Pula Opera Festival and other events throughout the year. Other sights in Pula include the Triumphal arch of the Sergii, the Temple of Augustus, the Cathedral and the Franciscan Church and Monastery.

Things to do on a Holiday in Croatia

If you're in search of a bit more from your holidays in Croatia then try one of the many activities Croatia has to offer.

Hiking: Holidays in Croatia are a perfect choice for those who enjoy walking and hiking with numerous interesting walks and trails to be explored. The national parks offer particularly picturesque walks including the Plitvice Lakes and on the islands of Brijuni and Mljet. More challenging hikes lead to the head of Mount Biokovo and the Velebit mountains located in north Dalmatia.

Tennis: An extremely popular pass time for Croatians and interest has grown since Goran Ivanisevic's success in 2001 at Wimbledon. There are some excellent tennis schools in Croatia and many hotels boasting tennis facilities.

Diving: Scuba diving is a must for those taking Croatia holidays due to the beautiful clear and calm sea. The Adriatic sea has many ancient Greek and Roman artifacts that are waiting to be discovered. Diving courses and packages can be booked in resort for both experienced divers and beginners.

Sailing: A popular pass time for those taking Croatia holidays and a the perfect way to see the coastal islands and networks of small archipelagos.

Eating/Drinking During Croatia Holidays

Holidays to Croatia are great for food lovers who will be able to try a great range of cuisines. Fresh seafood is widely available and absolutely delicious, the restaurants are constantly serving a wide variety of fresh fish caught from the pristine Adriatic Sea. If your not a fan of seafood there many other alternatives including tasty meats such as ham and salami, cheeses and refreshing wines.

For those taking Croatia holidays with adventurous palates the traditional cuisine is amazing with dishes such as bean stew, pork half shanks Podravina style, burek (meat pie) and Dalmatian style Cod to name a few.

If you enjoy winding down over a beer, than Croatia holidays are right up your street because Croatian beers are very high quality. Good Croatian beers include Zagreb's Ozujsko pivo or Karlovacko pivo or Tuborg. In the region of Dalmatia there are some excellent red wines and would make an excellent present from your holidays to Croatia.

Getting Around on Croatia Holidays

The country's excellent bus network is far-reaching and reasonably priced. Trains are cheaper and more comfortable than the bus, but also slower except for the new high-speed train between Zagreb and Split.

All the usual car rental chains are represented in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and most Istrian towns. Drive on the right side of the road. The spectacular Adriatic highway from Italy to Albania runs along the steep slopes of Croatia's coastal range, and is one of the most exciting drives in the world.

If you can get where you're going by ferry, then do it - cruising among the islands of the Adriatic certainly beats sitting on a bus, no matter how cheap or fast it is. Jadrolinija coastal ferries ply the waters between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, stopping at Split and Korcula.

Croatia Holidays Shopping

Holidays to Croatia provide visitors with the ideal opportunity to explore the local markets and find wonderful locally produced items such as pottery, lace, handmade silk ties, shawls, scarves as well as a wealth of other interesting souvenirs to remind you of your Croatia holidays. Traditional handicrafts such embroidery and ceramics are widely available making lovely souvenirs.

Tourists can reclaim VAT on expenditure of more than 500 Kn. Visitors should ensure that all receipts are retained as the financial police have the power to levy fines to visitors without relevant documents; this is to prevent VAT evasion by shopkeepers.

Holidays in Croatia - Beaches

Although there aren't many sandy beaches in Croatia, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the pebbly shores lapped by clear turquoise waters. There are many secluded coves to be explored and the waters are ideal for all types of watersports, including snorkeling.

Weather and climate information

The climate is Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast, meaning warm dry summers and mild winters, with 2,600 hours of sunlight on average yearly - it is one of the sunniest coastlines in Europe! In the interior of the country, the climate is continental with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.